Football briefs: Predictable formula has Redskins’ offense bogged down

Thursday

Nov 27, 2008 at 12:01 AM

Includes NFL whispers on the Jets, Ravens, 49ers, as well as Fantasy Buzz from Pro Football Weekly.

Pro Football Weekly staff

The Redskins’ offense has tapered off to the point where the team might not reach the 30-point mark in a game this season. In the past three games, the team has averaged only 278.3 yards, and granted, two of those games were against good defenses in the Steelers and Cowboys, but the lack of a second option in the passing game has made the Redskins entirely predictable. And imagine what would happen if either RB Clinton Portis or WR Santana Moss went down; combined, they have accounted for 472 of the team’s 835 yards in that span. Teams pack it in against Portis and double-team Moss on first and second downs, and defenses are mindful of WR Antwaan Randle El and TE Chris Cooley on third downs. The lack of another option in the passing game has created an offense that has to be formulaic to be successful, but teams are starting to notice this trend and make the proper adjustments.

NFL whispers

JETS: The Jets’ signature of Ty Law does more than just provide a capable body in coverage. It also outfits the club with another defensive back to bring in off the blitz. The Jets have shown a proclivity to bring pressure from their secondary and feel comfortable with the physicality of all the regulars in their DB rotation.

RAVENS: The Ravens are high on undrafted rookie OLB Jameel McClain, who has flashed some pass-rush ability since entering the defensive rotation in Week Eight. A source close to the club says the 6-1, 250-pound McClain, who attended Syracuse, is a credit to the diligence of the club’s scouts, who have long shown an ability to find late-round and undrafted steals.

49ERS: We hear the odds are less than 50-50 that the Niners will hang on to OT Jonas Jennings, who underwent surgery on his shoulder for the third time and was placed on injured reserve. Jennings has played well when he’s been 100 percent healthy, but that’s seldom been the case the past two seasons. Word is his latest operation will require a six-month recovery period.

The Fantasy Buzz

RB Peyton Hillis has been a terrific fill-in for Denver’s injury-riddled backfield, running for 118 yards and three TDs the past two weeks, but the Jets should give him lots of problems this Sunday. New York is ranked third in the league in run defense, allowing a mere 78 rushing yards per game, so the Broncos will have to air it out to have any chance. Keep the rookie reserved.

The 49ers’ pass defense has been non-existent the past three weeks, as opponents have averaged 314 yards through the air. That’s great news for Bills QB Trent Edwards, who threw for two scores and ran for two more last week at Kansas City. He should have plenty of success finding WR Lee Evans downfield in this one.

With an unpredictable split currently going on in the Patriots’ backfield and the NFL’s best defense coming to town, avoid the trio of Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk and BenJarvus Green-Ellis this week. The Steelers are giving up a scant 66.5 rushing yards per game, and they’ve surrendered just four scores on the ground. New England has become a pass-first offense lately, and it’s likely to continue on Sunday.

For more NFL news and daily fantasy football advice, visit ProFootballWeekly.com.